Mein Schiff Relax

Mein Schiff Relax is a cruise ship operated by TUI Cruises and the first vessel in the company's InTUItion class. It represents TUI Cruises' first wholly new ship design since the introduction of Mein Schiff 3 in 2014. The vessel was conceived as a larger, energy-conscious successor to the company's numbered Mein Schiff ships and entered commercial service in March 2025. TUI Cruises ordered the ship in 2018 from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri as the first of two new LNG-capable vessels. Its design was based on Fincantieri's Project Mille prototype platform. The ship was intended to combine the leisure-oriented positioning of the Mein Schiff brand with improved propulsion and emissions technology. It can operate on liquefied natural gas or marine gas oil and is designed to accommodate future use of alternatives such as bio-LNG and e-LNG when those fuels become commercially available. Environmental and port-operation features include catalytic converters designed to meet Euro 6 standards, a system that uses residual heat from diesel generators to produce additional energy, and a shore-power connection for compatible ports. The ship is also equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion arrangement. These features form a central part of its product identity, although they do not eliminate the broader environmental impacts associated with LNG-powered cruise operations. Mein Schiff Relax was designed by several architectural and marine-interior specialists. Wilson Butler Architects developed the overall masterplan and entertainment venues, while 3Deluxe, Tillberg Design of Sweden, and JOI-Design contributed to other areas of the ship. The naming of the vessel in October 2023 marked a departure from TUI Cruises' earlier practice of relying primarily on sequential ship numbers. Construction began with steel cutting in June 2022. The bow section was built at VARD's shipyard in Tulcea, Romania, before being transported to Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard in Italy for assembly and completion. The vessel was floated out in November 2023, completed two rounds of sea trials in 2024, and was formally delivered to TUI Cruises on 7 February 2025. After delivery, Mein Schiff Relax relocated through the Adriatic and Mediterranean and began its first commercial program from Palma de Mallorca on 2 March 2025. Its early itineraries focused on Mediterranean cruises. The official christening took place in Málaga, Spain, on 9 April 2025. British singer Robbie Williams served as the ship's feel-good ambassador and performed at the ceremony, which also included TUI Cruises representatives and other Mein Schiff vessels. The ship's planned sister vessel, Mein Schiff Flow, is scheduled to enter service in 2026, with two further unnamed sister ships planned for 2031 and 2032.

Mein Schiff Relax was ordered by TUI Cruises in 2018 as the first of a new pair of LNG-capable cruise ships. The order formed part of a broader renewal of the operator's fleet and introduced a new ship platform rather than another direct continuation of the earlier numbered Mein Schiff designs. Fincantieri based the vessel on its Project Mille prototype, and the ship was initially described as one of the largest cruise ships being built in Italy. The vessel was developed around a dual-fuel concept. Its propulsion system can use LNG or marine gas oil, while the design allows for potential transition to bio-LNG or e-LNG as those fuels become available. Additional systems include catalytic converters intended to meet Euro 6 standards, a residual-heat turbine associated with the diesel generators, and shore-power capability for suitably equipped ports. TUI Cruises presented these systems as part of the ship's energy-efficiency and lower-emissions design approach. The ship's public areas and layout were developed by a group of international design firms. Wilson Butler Architects prepared the masterplan and entertainment spaces. 3Deluxe, Tillberg Design of Sweden, and JOI-Design worked on other portions of the ship's architecture and interiors. In October 2023, TUI Cruises announced the name Mein Schiff Relax, departing from the numbering convention used by most earlier ships in the brand's fleet. Construction began in June 2022 when the first steel was cut. VARD built the bow section at Tulcea in Romania, after which the section was towed to Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard for integration and completion. Mein Schiff Relax was floated out in November 2023. The ship undertook its first sea trials in October 2024, sailing from Monfalcone to Palermo, and completed a second trial period in December 2024. Fincantieri delivered the ship to TUI Cruises on 7 February 2025. It subsequently moved to Fincantieri's Trieste facility and departed on 24 February for a repositioning voyage toward Palma de Mallorca. Commercial service began on 2 March 2025 with Mediterranean itineraries. The formal christening took place in Málaga on 9 April 2025, with Giuliana Rizzo, TUI Spa & Sport manager, serving as godmother and Robbie Williams performing at the event. The ship was joined for the occasion by Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 7. Mein Schiff Relax is the first vessel of TUI Cruises' InTUItion class. Mein Schiff Flow is planned as its sister ship and is scheduled to debut in 2026. Two additional unnamed ships have been identified in the longer-term program for 2031 and 2032. The class therefore represents a significant stage in the development of TUI Cruises' fleet and product architecture.

• 2025

  Delivery and entry into service

  [1]Mein Schiff Relaxen.wikipedia.org

  Fincantieri delivers the ship to TUI Cruises on 7 February, and the vessel begins Mediterranean commercial cruises from Palma de Mallorca on 2 March.

• 2025

  Official christening in Málaga

  [1]Mein Schiff Relaxen.wikipedia.org

  A formal christening ceremony takes place in Málaga on 9 April, featuring Robbie Williams and TUI Cruises representatives.

• 2024

  Sea trials

  [1]Mein Schiff Relaxen.wikipedia.org

  The ship completes its first sea trials in October and a second series in December.

• 2023

  The vessel is named Mein Schiff Relax

  [1]Mein Schiff Relaxen.wikipedia.org

  TUI Cruises announces the ship's name in October, introducing a new naming approach beyond the company's earlier numbered ships.

• 2023

  Float-out

  [1]Mein Schiff Relaxen.wikipedia.org

  Mein Schiff Relax is floated out at the shipyard in November, with shipyard employee Elena Sperti serving as honorary godmother.

• 2022

  First steel is cut

  [1]Mein Schiff Relaxen.wikipedia.org

  Construction begins in June 2022, with the bow section produced at VARD's Tulcea shipyard in Romania.

• 2018

  TUI Cruises orders a new LNG-capable ship

  [1]Mein Schiff Relaxen.wikipedia.org

  TUI Cruises orders the first of two new concept vessels based on Fincantieri's Project Mille platform.

A contemporary German leisure-cruise product combining TUI Cruises' relaxed, premium-oriented Mein Schiff experience with a new ship design, extensive onboard amenities, and energy-efficiency technologies.

• Cruise ship · 2025

  Mein Schiff Relax

  The first InTUItion-class vessel operated by TUI Cruises. Mein Schiff Relax is designed for leisure cruises and combines passenger accommodation, dining, entertainment, wellness, and sports facilities with a dual-fuel propulsion system. Its initial commercial program focused on Mediterranean sailings from Palma de Mallorca. The ship's design emphasizes a relaxed holiday experience while incorporating LNG capability, shore-power connectivity, catalytic-converter technology, and recovery of residual heat from onboard generators.

• 2025Robbie Williams feel-good ambassador and christening performance

  Germany · United Kingdom · Spain · Mediterranean cruise market

  TUI Cruises associated British singer Robbie Williams with Mein Schiff Relax as its feel-good ambassador and used his performance at the Málaga christening to support the ship's entertainment-led, positive lifestyle positioning.

  Outcome. The campaign culminated in the ship's 9 April 2025 christening ceremony in Málaga.

  Source

• 2025

  Launch of Mediterranean cruise operationsProduct launch

  Background

  Following delivery, repositioning, and sea trials, the new ship required an initial operating program.

  Action taken

  Mein Schiff Relax began commercial cruises from Palma de Mallorca on 2 March 2025.

  Aftermath

  The vessel entered TUI Cruises' active fleet and began serving Mediterranean itineraries.

  Source

• 2023

  Adoption of the Mein Schiff Relax nameStrategy

  Background

  Earlier TUI Cruises ships had generally used a numerical naming convention.

  Action taken

  TUI Cruises announced the name Mein Schiff Relax in October 2023.

  Aftermath

  The name established a distinct identity for the new InTUItion-class product while retaining the Mein Schiff master brand.

  Source

• 2018

  Commissioning of a new LNG-capable ship classStrategy

  Background

  TUI Cruises sought a new ship design for fleet development beyond the existing numbered Mein Schiff series.

  Action taken

  The company ordered the first of two new concept ships from Fincantieri, based on the Project Mille platform and designed for dual-fuel operation.

  Aftermath

  The order led to the InTUItion class, beginning with Mein Schiff Relax and followed by the planned Mein Schiff Flow.

  Source

1. 1Mein Schiff Relaxen.wikipedia.org